Life can be hard, and cruel, and unfair. This is indisputable. It can be tempting to allow ourselves to focus only on the unfairness, and spend our time steeping in anger  – but if we do, we lose our only opportunity to experience the very emotions and occasions we are so angry about missing.

If Heather and David Mosher had done that, they would never have experienced one moment as husband and wife.

One moment was all they had, but Heather and David Mosher chose to make that moment count.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer the same day he’d planned to propose. He chose to stick with the plan, and they shined light into their darkest day.

For the next year she endured surgeries and chemotherapy, but her cancer did not yield, and they moved their wedding plans up.

It was her last 24 hours on this earth.

They could have spent those hours focused on death, but Heather and David Mosher, surrounded by people they cherish, chose to focus on love.

The picture shows a beautiful woman whose strength refuses to be concealed by her oxygen mask. Her hospital gown is exchanged for her wedding gown. Her bouquet lies on her lap, and Heather Mosher, exhausted but triumphant, throws her arms up in celebration.

The new bride died just 18 hours later. Her husband told ABC News how surreal it was, intermingling “Goodbye” with his wedding vows.

The moment was theirs. They didn’t have to share it but they chose to, and by doing so, they gave us all the opportunity to experience it with them.

We are grateful to this family for sharing their story, and to Christina Lee Karas  for sharing this photo.

The power of love has the potential to overcome any pain, if we choose to allow it to do so.  This young couple is a testament to that.

Photo courtesy Christina Lee Karas of Christina Lee Photography (https://www.instagram.com/christina.lee.photography/)